Suffolk still among safest places, despite small rise in crime

Home Office numbers show an increase of 2.8 per cent in recorded crime compared to figures year-on-year – something Suffolk Police say is in line with national trends.

Out of 280,000 calls taken in 2016/17, around 46,000 were recorded as crimes in the past financial year.

Crimes including robbery and violence against the person saw a particular rise, with 294 robberies recorded – up 21pc – and 14,388 reports of violence, up 18pc.

Deputy Chief Constable Steve Jupp said: 'Most forces are seeing a rise in recorded crime so we are not alone in this fact, but the public can feel reassured that we remain amongst the safest places in the country.'

He added: 'Violence against the person is a broad category and as a consequence, the bulk of this rise can be attributed to the sub-category of harassment which saw a year on year rise of 62pc to 3,203 offences.

'Although we have seen a rise in robbery figures it's important to recognise that the numbers are still very low.

'The rise equates to one extra offence taking place per week.

'We are working hard to tackle this area with proactive work to address youth gang crime, much of which is drug-related under Operation Velocity.'

Some offences have seen a slump though, including drug offences which have decreased by 15pc, burglary by 7pc and criminal damage by 3pc.

Sexual offences have also gone down in Suffolk, with a drop of 5pc.

Tim Passmore, police and crime commissioner said: 'I am pleased that these latest crime figures show Suffolk remains one of the safest counties in the country to live, work, travel and invest.

'Our police officers and civilian staff work under tremendous pressure to keep us safe; responding to 280,000 calls is a huge challenge.

'I'd like to take this opportunity to publicly thank them for their dedication.

'Despite the small increase in crime numbers, it is reassuring to see that the numbers of recorded crime are down for drug offences.'